Jiuxi

Chapter 859: 857 [Odds of Winning]

The headquarters of the Weaving Bureau.

Deep inside the building, there is a prison with extremely strict security, which is no less strict than the imperial prison.

Su Yunqing had come here many times in the past two years, but the jailers had never thought that one day this official would walk in in shackles.

In a seemingly ordinary prison cell, Su Yunqing sat on a chair with shackles on his head. Opposite to him sat Shen Yi, who had arrested and imprisoned him in compliance with the Empress Dowager's order. Beside him stood several masters with outstanding martial arts skills.

"Master Su, I have benefited a lot from working under you in the past two years, and I have always admired you as a person."

Shen Yi raised his hand and pinched his brows, and said in confusion: "But I really don't understand, how could someone like you who has experienced so much do such a stupid thing?"

Su Yunqing stood straight and looked at him calmly.

Shen Yi pointed out: "As the head of the Weaving Department, you actually handed over a large number of confidential files to Duke Qin in private. The Queen Mother was furious when she learned about this. Lord Su, no matter what kind of personal relationship you have with Duke Qin, you can't do such a thing that tramples on the rules of the Weaving Department. You have been in the Weaving Department for nearly 20 years. Don't you know that this government office is only loyal to the royal family? It is a taboo to secretly make friends with civil and military ministers, not to mention a powerful military hero like Duke Qin."

Su Yunqing remained silent.

Shen Yi was not in a hurry, and shook his head and said, "To be honest, you are too bold. When the Beijing inspection incident broke out, I felt a little strange that there were people in the capital who knew more secrets than the Weaving Department and dragged so many officials into the water at one time. Later, I secretly checked and found that the handles of many officials were clearly recorded in the files of the Weaving Department, and there were obvious signs that they had been touched by someone. Wherever you go, you will leave footprints. This is the principle that Qin Tiju taught us. Why do you think you can hide it from everyone?"

Su Yunqing finally asked, "What exactly do you want to say?"

Shen Yi's eyes narrowed slightly. He knew very well the temperament of the prisoner in front of him.

This former boss is now alone. His parents, brothers and sisters were unfortunately killed by the Jinglian people nearly twenty years ago. Now he has no wife or children, and only two concubines.

For the emperor, this kind of official who has no descendants is undoubtedly an excellent candidate for a lone minister.

But from another perspective, having no offspring means having no weaknesses, and Su Yunqing started from the bottom of the Weaving Bureau and fought against enemy spies on the border for ten years. His mind is as strong as a city wall, and it is extremely difficult to penetrate his defenses. This is why Shen Yi did not torture him right away.

Shen Yi moved the lid of the tea bowl and said calmly, "There is solid evidence that you and Duke Qin are secretly colluding. As long as this matter is made public, you will be tortured to death, and your evidence of guilt will be recorded in history books. From then on, you will be infamous and despised by everyone."

Su Yunqing smiled and said, "So, I still have a chance to make amends?"

Shen Yi also smiled and said, "The Queen Mother believes that you are just confused for a moment. If you are willing to confess the details of your connection with Duke Qin, and preferably provide evidence that he harbors rebellious intentions, at least you won't have to die, and the things you've done will also be sealed. As for reinstatement, I can't give you an absolute guarantee, but as long as you are honest enough, it is not impossible."

The two looked at each other calmly.

After a moment, Su Yunqing said leisurely: "I have never asked anyone to hand over the files of the Textile Bureau to Duke Qin. If you want to accuse me, you can always find a pretext."

Shen Yi frowned slightly and said, "Sir Su, do you think everyone else is a fool? It has been found out that Duke Qin secretly sent someone to leak the evidence against those officials in the imperial examination, and the Textile Bureau just happened to have the corresponding files. Everyone knows that you and Duke Qin are old friends and have worked together many times in Huaizhou. Just based on this point, you can be convicted of collusion between the inside and the outside."

Su Yunqing looked at this former subordinate and said calmly, "Even if you really got evidence that Duke Qin was the mastermind behind this, this matter has nothing to do with me. Perhaps Duke Qin came to the Textile Bureau himself to get the files."

Shen Yi was so angry that he laughed when he heard this, and said sinisterly: "Master Su, you really won't turn back until you hit the wall."

"Did Shen Tidian forget——"

Su Yunqing showed no fear and said slowly, "In the 12th year of Jianwu, Qin Zheng, the former head of the Textile Bureau, gave Lu Chen the position of director, which has not been cancelled to this day. Later, Qin Zheng followed the order of the late emperor and gave Lu Chen the jade token of the head. He can check the files of the Textile Bureau at any place, at any time, and by any means. The jade token is still in the hands of Duke Qin."

Shen Yi was stunned and his face turned a little ugly.

Su Yunqing's tone was a little sharp. "I don't know if Duke Qin had anyone interfere in the Beijing Inspection Incident, but if it was just to review the files of the Textile Bureau, his authority is no less than yours and mine, so what's so strange about that? Shen Yi, you have framed Shangguan for a heinous crime. Even if you can conceal it for a while, you can't conceal it forever. I advise you not to waste your energy. If you want to force a confession, just do it. Su really wants to see our own methods."

Shen Yi's eyes were gloomy. After a moment of silence, he said coldly, "Keep an eye on him. He must be alive and well before sunset tomorrow."

"As ordered!"

Several trusted aides nearby responded sternly.

Shen Yi then stood up and strode away.

Walking out of the dark and damp cell and feeling the bright sunshine outside, Shen Yi felt a little depressed.

After calming down a little, he whispered to a confidant, "Go tell Lord Li that it will be difficult for Su Yunqing to make further breakthroughs."

"Yes!"……

Pingkangfang, Shangshufu.

After listening to Li Jinshan's retelling, Li Shizhi remained calm and asked Jing Qingshan, who was sitting opposite him, "What do you think?"

Jing Qingshan pondered and said, "Brother, Su Yunqing's reaction is expected. This person is more lonely than Qin Zheng. It is not realistic to shake his mind in such a short time. Considering the overall situation, it is not important whether Su Yunqing changes sides. As long as the Queen Mother lays out the evidence of his connection with Lu Chen tomorrow, coupled with your other preparations, it will be enough to make most people believe that Lu Chen has the motive and ability to kill the king. It's just..."

Seeing that he was hesitant to speak, Li Shizhi signaled Li Jinshan to leave, and then asked: "If you have any concerns, just speak up."

Jing Qingshan nodded and said slowly: "Brother, don't you think that Su Yunqing acted too calmly? He had no intention of resisting from beginning to end. Moreover, Lu Chen has not made any unusual movements in the past two days. He has never been the kind of person who sits and waits for death. Now he is so calm even though he knows that a disaster is coming. There must be something wrong when things are abnormal."

"There is no perfect plan in this world."

Li Shizhi took a sip of the teacup and then said, "In fact, I hope Lu Chen will take some action instead of hiding in the Duke's Mansion. If he takes the path of violent confrontation, we will save a lot of trouble."

Jing Qingshan reacted quickly.

The situation in the capital is currently at a delicate balance point. Although various forces are suspicious of Lu Chen, they will not easily make up their minds before seeing sufficient evidence. This is why Li Shizhi and Empress Dowager Xu must act in accordance with the rules of the court.

It is easy to destroy, but difficult to consolidate.

Only by letting Lu Chen take on the label of regicide and traitor can Li Shizhi and Queen Mother Xu legitimately control power. Otherwise, this regicide case will become a bottomless quagmire that will eventually swallow up everyone.

If Lu Chen cannot keep his composure and uses violence to break the impasse, he will stand on the opposite side of the imperial court and the Thirteen Prefectures of Jiangnan. Li Shizhi will not need to make any plans and can firmly hold on to the righteous cause.

Li Shizhi knew that Jing Qingshan was still worried, so he continued, "Since yesterday morning, we have deployed our men around the Qin Guogong Mansion. Before Lu Chen is convicted, they really can't attack openly, but I can at least ensure that Lu Chen's communication with the outside world has been cut off, and he doesn't even know that Su Yunqing has been imprisoned."

Jing Qingshan felt relieved and nodded, "Thinking about it this way, he really doesn't have a good way to break the situation. Going all out is the worst option. We can only wait for the elite troops from the border to arrive."

"I have deployed a large number of spies in Huaizhou. So far, we have not received any news indicating that the border troops have already moved south. However, based on my understanding of Lu Chen, it is impossible that he returned to the capital without preparation. Perhaps elite cavalry such as the Dingbei Army and the Feiyu Army are on their way south at this time, but have chosen a route that is difficult for us to guess."

Li Shizhi put down the teacup and said calmly: "The border troops are like a tree without roots when they arrive in Jiangnan. The most important point is that I will not give Lu Chen the opportunity to drag it on. No matter how many back-up plans he has arranged, it will take a long time for the border troops to cross the river and arrive in the capital, and this is the root of Lu Chen's extreme restraint in the past few days. He wants to use this method to paralyze us, and wait for the elite border troops to appear outside the capital. At that time, he will have a certain confidence."

"So tomorrow..."

"We must start tomorrow and make sure Lu Chen has no chance to react. As long as Lu Chen dies, there will be only 20,000 to 30,000 border troops who will really make trouble. By then, we will have already coerced the entire court, and we just need to patiently deal with them. Just like how prestigious Yang Guangyuan was back then, how many people risked their lives for him? Rebellion is no joke, and the fickleness of the world is the norm. In the end, death is just like the extinguishing of a lamp."

Li Shizhi looked solemn and warned, "You don't have to show up at tomorrow's court meeting, so as not to arouse other people's suspicion. Yuan Yuji brought the Gao brothers back to the capital, and the relationship between Su Yunqing and Lu Chen will be made public. In addition, Jin Qiaolan publicly accused Lu Chen of plotting to kill the monarch. These evidences are enough to convince most people."

Jing Qingshan let out a long sigh and said in a slow tone, "That's great."

He immediately stood up, bowed and said goodbye.

Li Shizhi personally sent him to the door, then returned to the study in the inner house to start making final arrangements.

It was an almost sleepless night.

At dawn, Li Shizhi drank half a cup of ginseng tea and was still as energetic as ever.

Cui Yu looked at him steadily and asked, "Do you want me to take action today?"

"need."

Li Shizhi did not act pretentiously and said frankly: "When the situation in the palace is about to be settled, you will take the 1,000 assassins I have arranged in advance to the Qin Guogong Mansion, tear apart the sentries and guards arranged by Lu Chen, and control Lu Tong and all the members of the Lu family. This will completely extinguish Lu Chen's hope."

Cui Yu was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "I know you have found Yin Qianjue and others. You can actually let them go to Duke Qin's mansion, and I will sneak into the palace to protect you in secret."

Li Shizhi stared into his eyes, feeling a little emotional, and finally nodded and said, "Okay."

Half an hour later, Li Shizhi boarded a stable carriage and, surrounded by his attendants and guards, headed towards the imperial palace.

The sun is shining and the wind is beautiful.

(End of this chapter)